Boycott threat was serious: Perez

McLaren driver Sergio Perez insists that the threat of drivers boycotting the German GP was serious. Perez suffered two tyre blow outs during the British GP and has welcomed the changes brought in by Pirelli for the next races.

“I think if Pirelli had not changed the construction, for sure we would have done something as drivers,” he said. “We were risking our lives and at the end of the day this is a sport and you don’t want to be risking your lives. I can’t imagine if you have 22 drivers knowing that something as bad as a tyre exploding could happen, I don’t think all of us would have gone out and raced. I believe that myself.”

F1 drivers had released a statement through the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) that they may boycott the German GP if the tyre problems, which plagued the recently concluded British GP, continue. There were six major tyre incidents at Silverstone with four drivers suffering blown tyres.

The GPDA statement said:

“The drivers of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association wish to express their deepest concerns about the events that took place at Silverstone.

“We trust that the changes made to the tyres will have the desired results and that similar problems will not occur during the German GP weekend.

“We are ready to drive our cars to the limit, as we always do, and as it is expected by our teams, sponsors and fans.

“However, the drivers have decided that, if similar problems should manifest themselves during the German GP, we shall immediately withdraw from the event, as this avoidable problem with the tyres endangers again the lives of drivers, marshals and fans.”

While Pirelli insist that it was caused due to a combination of “rear tyres mounted the wrong way round, low tyres pressures, extreme cambers and high kerbs”, McLaren driver Jenson Button believes that all those factors make very little difference.

“Pressures, cambers, toes – nothing really makes a big difference. I think it’s the construction of the tyre. That’s not just us, I think it’s the same for everyone.” Button said.

Pirelli have planned a new set of tyres for the coming races along with a change in the rules to prevent tyre failures.

• For the German GP, the teams will be using the Kevlar-belted rear tyres that were first tested at the Friday practice session at Montreal.
• The teams will be banned from swapping left and right tyres
• Strict rules will be imposed on camber and tyre pressures
• For the Hungarian GP, an all new tyre will be launched, which will be a combination of the 2012 construction with the compounds used in 2013. The tyres will be tested at the Young drivers test at Silvestone on July 17-19

Button, who is also a Director of the GPDA, was positive about the changes.

“We haven’t seen an issue with this type of construction. As far as I know, it’s very similar to what we had last year, using Kevlar instead of metal in the tyre. We didn’t have any issues last year.”